Is RSV going around in the US right now?
Should parents be worried? Current RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) activity in the United States with 12-week trend, especially relevant for infants and adults over 60. Based on CDC NHSN hospital admissions and RSV-NET surveillance.
Influenza: Low
Low
No. Flu activity in the United States is currently low and rising (as of 28 Aug 2026).
Data window: Week 34 · Aug 17 – Aug 23 · Source: CDC (weekly) · Update overdue: source publishing late
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View the last 8 weeks
In week 34 of 2026, Influenza activity in the United States is classified as low.
The reported value is 20% higher than in week 33.
Across the last 8 reported weeks the highest reading was week 34; the level was low in 8 of them.
The last 8 reported weeks
| Week | Relative | Level | vs prior week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 34 | 100 | Low | +20% |
| Week 33 | 83 | Low | +5% |
| Week 32 | 79 | Low | unchanged |
| Week 31 | 79 | Low | −10% |
| Week 30 | 88 | Low | +5% |
| Week 29 | 83 | Low | −9% |
| Week 28 | 92 | Low | unchanged |
| Week 27 | 92 | Low | – |
Relative means the highest of these weekly values is set to 100. Exact incidence rates are in the app.
Current activity
- InfluenzaLowrisingWeek 34Trend: rising · Week 34
- COVID-19LowrisingWeek 34Trend: rising · Week 34
- RSVLowstableWeek 34Trend: stable · Week 34
What this means
In week 34 of 2026, activity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the United States is low. The trend, derived from clinical surveillance, is stable. A slight upward trend has emerged over recent weeks.
Data, context and methodology
The current picture for the United States is built on the CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) weekly hospital admissions data. NHSN collects laboratory-confirmed admission rates per 100,000 population for influenza, COVID-19 and RSV, submitted by participating hospitals nationwide. We rescale these hospitalization rates into a consultation-equivalent signal so the qualitative “low / moderate / high” categories are consistent with how we report other countries.
CDC NHSN (Hospital Respiratory Data)
NHSN is the CDC's national surveillance system for healthcare-associated infections. Since 2022, hospitals report weekly counts of confirmed influenza, COVID-19 and RSV admissions. We use the jurisdiction-level USA rates (admissions per 100,000 population per week), which give an unbiased picture of severe illness pressure on the healthcare system.
CDC FluView
CDC FluView is the long-running weekly flu surveillance report, drawing on outpatient ILI visits via the ILINet sentinel network, public health laboratory results, and hospitalization data. While our headline level is driven by NHSN, FluView provides the context for how a season compares to the typical seasonal curve.
Why hospitalization rates
Unlike clinic visits or self-reports, hospital admissions remain reliable across changes in testing behaviour and reporting practices. They reflect severe outcomes, the load that matters most for health-system capacity, and are reported with a roughly one-week lag.
Qualitative classification
The “low”, “moderate” and “high” categories follow seasonal reference values and epidemiological thresholds calibrated to match our classifications for other countries. Hospitalization rates are scaled to consultation-equivalent incidence using pathogen-specific conversion factors derived from typical seasonal peaks in both systems. Data refreshes weekly when the CDC publishes the latest NHSN update, typically late in the week.
Source and seasonal pattern by pathogen
- Influenza
- The classification is based on the CDC's NHSN weekly hospitalization data and the FluView surveillance report. Seasonally, infection waves in the United States typically peak between December and February; activity is usually markedly lower during the summer months.
- COVID-19
- The classification is based on CDC NHSN weekly confirmed COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 population. Seasonally, infection waves in the United States typically peak during winter, with frequent summer waves driven by new variants; activity is usually markedly lower in late spring between waves.
- RSV
- The classification is based on CDC NHSN weekly RSV hospital admissions and the RSV-NET surveillance system. Seasonally, infection waves in the United States typically peak between November and February; activity is usually markedly lower in spring and summer.
Frequently asked questions
What is RSV?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that causes infections ranging from mild cold-like symptoms to serious lung disease. Almost all children get RSV by age two. In healthy adults and older children, RSV typically causes a mild to moderate cold. But in infants, older adults, and immunocompromised people, it can cause bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and hospitalization.
When is RSV season in the US?
The RSV season in the United States typically runs from fall through early spring, with activity usually peaking between November and February. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, RSV patterns have become less predictable: seasons have shifted earlier or emerged outside their usual window in some years. The CDC's RSV-NET surveillance system tracks weekly hospital admission rates to identify when activity crosses into elevated ranges.
Who is most at risk from RSV?
The highest-risk groups are premature infants, babies under six months old, and adults aged 60 and older. People with heart or lung disease, immune compromise, or other chronic conditions are also at elevated risk of severe RSV. In most healthy adults, RSV causes a cold-like illness that resolves on its own within one to two weeks.
Is there an RSV vaccine?
Yes, as of 2023 the FDA has approved RSV vaccines for adults aged 60 and older and a maternal RSV vaccine for pregnant women. Additionally, nirsevimab (Beyfortus) is a long-acting monoclonal antibody recommended for infants entering their first RSV season. These interventions have significantly reduced the risk of severe RSV in the groups most likely to need hospital care.
How is RSV different from the flu?
RSV and influenza can cause similar-looking respiratory symptoms, but they are different viruses with different risk profiles. RSV disproportionately affects the very young and the very old, while flu affects all age groups, though it's still most severe in the elderly and those with chronic conditions. A laboratory test is usually needed to distinguish between them reliably. Both circulate simultaneously during the US winter respiratory season.
More situation reports
Data last refreshed: Sep 1, 2026, 08:40. Update cadence: weekly.
This page is not medical advice and does not replace consultation with a healthcare professional. For specific symptoms, please contact a medical professional.
About this page
Published by Renderei Martin GmbH, Berlin. No commercial interest in individual health recommendations. The app is optionally monetised via a freemium subscription.
Content is based exclusively on the linked official surveillance publications. Medical statements are curated against the guidance of RKI, ECDC and WHO.
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